Astrology 101: The Eighth House and Its Meanings
August 10th, 2008 at 7:34 pm (Astrology 101)
Concluding our tour of the malefic houses of the horoscope, the eighth house is thoroughly and completely malefic; it is associated with death and fear. The only neutral meaning of this house is that of other people’s assets, including inheritances; if we want to know whether our spouse will be wealthy, we might look, among other indicators, to the eighth house. This is because it is the second house from the seventh — our partners’ money.
The reason that the eighth house is malefic is because it does not form a major aspect to the ascendant, through which light enters the horoscope. Therefore, the eighth house is harmful to the life force, along with the sixth and twelfth houses.
Death
Despite what some astrologers may claim, we will all die, and it is unlikely to be a fun experience. Traditional astrology acknowledges that the quality of death varies dramatically from person to person. Strong planets in the natal eighth house represent a saving grace that helps us cheat death, or they might give an easy, peaceful death. Malefic planets in the eighth house promise the contrary. A heavy emphasis on the eighth house in predictive techniques, such as the solar return, or in progressions or directions, can indicate death. Most often, the other malefic houses, the sixth and the 12th (possibly the fourth, being the house of endings) will be activated as well.
For example, the French astrologer Jean-Baptiste Morin had an ominous solar return in 1656, well into his 70s. The solar return ascendant was conjunct the cusp of his natal eighth house, and the solar return Sun conjoined the natal 12th house cusp, along with Jupiter, ruler of the natal eighth house of death. The solar return Jupiter, ruling the eighth house of death in the natal chart, was exactly conjunct the solar return ascendant. The ruler of the natal sixth house of illness, Mercury, was conjunct the solar return Sun. Morin died in November 1656. [Data from The Art of Forecasting Using Solar Returns by Anthony Louis.] We can see that the eighth house alone may not predict death in the natal horoscope, and other malefic houses will often be involved as well.
Fear
This meaning of the eighth house tends to show up most strongly in horary charts, and disproportionately often, the ruler of the ascendant is in the eighth house, showing the querent’s fear about the issue at hand. Phobias, as such, are more of a 12th house affair. The eighth house experience of fear is more temporary and event-specific.
To round out the parade of horribles, the eighth house also rules the organs of excretion (in contrast with the organs of reproduction, ruled by the 7th house).
Other People’s Money
A couple of years ago, I did an informal study of a couple dozen natal horoscopes of those who made their money through marriage or relationships. I expected to see a strong eighth house, reflecting the spouse’s assets. However, I was disappointed, because it was usually the native’s second house or other personal indicator of wealth that was strong, not the eighth house. It was usually the natal second house or related indicators that were connected to the seventh house ruler, the Lot of Marriage, etc. The eighth house never really stood out in these horoscopes.
There is an important lesson here for astrologers. The eighth house as other people’s money is really only indicative in horary charts, where someone might ask about the assets and wealth of a prospective spouse, customer, or business partner. In the natal context, we would revert back to the usual indicators of personal wealth.
What has been your experience with the eighth house in your chart or that of others?
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Sari said,
August 11th, 2008 at 1:41 am
Hi Nina,
you might be interested about a study I made recently about charts that have emphasis in the 8th house http://koti.welho.com/jmetsovu/symbolical_meaning/the_8th_house.htm . I used Regiomontanus houses in the study. It showed that actually “other people’s money” feature quite strongly in natal charts, but it has more to do with profession than personal relationships.
Best, Sari
Nina Gryphon said,
August 11th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Hi Sari,
Cool study; thanks! Maybe that is the difference; relationship money is shown differently than professions working with others’ money. I look forward to reading more on your site.
Best wishes,
Nina
Judy said,
August 11th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Some interesting tidbits about a personal 8th house experience:
My younger sister had a close Venus-Mars conjunction in her 8th house at 20+ Sag. Her Sun, at 29+ Scorp, was on the 8th house cusp.
She was killed in a car accident on her 36th birthday. In the solar return chart for that year, 19+ Sag is on the AC, making Venus and Mars the first natal planets to rise. Her Sun is plop on the SR 12th house cusp. Her death was sudden and violent (Mars), but she did not suffer (Venus), as she was killed instantly.
Curiously, my little sis was born on the day that Pres. John F. Kennedy was assassinated. She had autism. Her natal Mercury at 9+ Sag was also in the her 8th house; I have often thought this placement testified to her inability to communicate; she was completely non-verbal. Nevertheless, people were very drawn to her–that Venus-Mars conjunction still worked its magic while she was alive.
Nina Gryphon said,
August 12th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Hi Judy,
Wow; I’m sorry to hear about your sister. Thanks for sharing that. Your sister’s Solar Return is very interesting; I guess Mars rules her 8th house of death, and the SR put her natal Mars right on the Ascendant. As you say, Venus was probably the merciful lack of suffering.
The other thing with Mercury at 9 Sagittarius is that it’s on the violent fixed star Antares. It’s interesting that she was non-verbal; Sagittarius is not one of the mute signs. I wonder if there was another affliction to Mercury.
Best wishes,
Nina
ads said,
August 25th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Hi,
I am Pisces acendant, Moon in third, and conjunct planet at 8th cusp
saturn(libra)+pluto(libra)+mercury(scorpio)+
Sun(scorpio)+venus(scorpio)+Jupiter(scorpio)
ads said,
August 25th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Hi,
Sorry for the incomplete comment above,
Uranus(sag) late 8th, Mars(cap)+southnode in 10th. Though Sat is in 7th but,
since it is conj strong planets in 8th. According to me/my experience it manifests more in 8th..Like early graying of hair.What do you think ?
I enjoy a family legacy and inherited property of my forefathers.
I started research on the 8th house about 2years back when I was unemployed. Sometimes i kind-of get self destructive and hate others. It is
difficult for me to keep or rather understand people other than my immediate relatives. I am very sensitive and more often feel insecure for no reason(Fear). I do not know Death/transformation-house logic.But i think I need to giveup my native tendencies and learn new ones. Many of strange
feelings/experiences I cannot describe here. But astrologer
Carmen Turner-Schott gets to the essence here,
..it dawned on me what the true lesson of the eighth house is. Instead of feeling separate or different from others, we need to think of it as feeling our “Oneness” with others.
(http://www.ofspirit.com/carmenturnerschott1.htm)
theo said,
September 7th, 2008 at 10:54 am
I have a venus mars mars conjuction in aries in the eight house. I do find it rather easy to influence others to give me there money if i have a cause for them. so I thought once I am financially on my feet I could use that ability to start my own charity organzation. so is the eight house good for that.
my birthday is feb 15 1985. I would be very interested in your thoughts.
Nina Gryphon said,
September 7th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Hi Ads,
Regarding your Saturn; is it within 5 degrees of the 8th cusp? If so, it will act as an 8th house planet for you.
The 8th house may be oneness with others in that we all will die someday, and that most of us do fear death. Still, there are more constructive ways to achieve oneness than by dying!
Best wishes,
Nina
Nina Gryphon said,
September 7th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Hi Theo,
Venus conjunct Mars in Aries may indeed make it easy to get others’ money. Be careful that you always do so ethically and for the highest good of the other person; your Mars is strong by sign but Venus is not.
Best wishes,
Nina
theo said,
September 8th, 2008 at 5:43 am
I am hoping to make the world a much better place. I hope not to get to lustful and selfish with other peoples money I am one the most lustful persons I know, but I am learning to channel it into positivity. I kind of see helping others as my revenge against the people who where not kind to me.
I know it is not stereotpical of someone who wants to help the world but it will keep me focused through the hard times.
I have always wondered the difference between eight house and fifth house sexuality I ws starting to think that eighth house did not have as much to do with sexuality as some people may think. perhaps it has a lot to do with confessional intamacy. like your darkest fears and your most horrible moments. perhaps this is one reason why people tend to relate it with sex becasue sometimes those things involve sex. I say this because I have had lots of really intimate relationships but not a lot of sex. what are your thoughts on the subject.
P.S. I was born 6:23 p.m. in new york.
Curious said,
October 7th, 2008 at 8:44 am
I have my Venus and Mercury in the Eighth House, of Aquarius. I don’t think I benefit much from other ppls money, I am not married, and yes when I do get involved with men, they are usually jealous, posessive…but i can relate to the fear factor…when it comes to other ppl, death, relating, etc.